Kenyan most rival clubs Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards this weekend knocked out their opponents out of their respective continental competitions to cruise to the next stage of their tournaments.AFC Leopards eliminated their opponents Defence SC by 4-1 in aggregate in their CAF Confederations Cup.The two-legged tie saw the Kenyan club win both legs.The first match was played in Nairobi where the Leopards won 2-0 while the return match played in Ethiopia on Sunday afternoon witnessed the visitors triumphing 1-2 courtesy of the lethal striker,Allan Wanga's brace.
In the other match Gor Mahia forced their opponents into penalty shoot-outs to seal their chance to the next stage after losing 1-0 to Gabon's US Britam in Gaston Peyrille Stadium, Gabon.This settled the aggregate to 1-1 after Gor had won their first leg tie in Kenya by the same margin and goal.The shoot-outs ended on 4-2 in favour of the Tusker Premier League champions who will thank Keeper Jeremy Onyango for saving two spot kicks awarded to the hosts each in both halfs and in the post-match shoot-outs.
These performance have shown that Kenyan clubs can compete in the continental competitions although tough tests are still awaiting the two clubs.Gor Mahia will now have to face Tunisia's Esperance in the next stage,a club which Gor eliminated to win their first and only continental trophy in 1987.The Leopards will have to handle South African club Supersport United.Wishing our dear clubs all the success.
Monday, 17 February 2014
Thursday, 13 February 2014
BARCELONA NEED TRANSITION AT DEFENCE
Football is a tough and competitive game where great teams come and later vanish after a period of successes.Likewise as these teams lose their forms,great players too become exhausted with the game as many factors like age and injuries come their way.Most analysts call this the transition stage.This is where upcoming teams break the dominance of big teams which have for some time look unstoppable whereas great players hand over their boots to their potential successors.
Comparing this to what is happening in the mighty club of FC Barcelona,transition especially on the defensive line still remains a myth.There is no doubt that the current Gatalan squad has struggled to win some of their matches this season.There are moments when one would not believe its Barcelona playing,actually not the team of Guardiola which was feared across the globe in those days.However,some of the players who featured in the team are still maintaining their positions in the current squad,so the question remains,what is all wrong with this team?
Barcelona is a great team and still will remain,all because it has superstars and promising future players in their youth academy.But what Matino's men have not believed in so far is defensive transition, a position which has been criticized for committing more mistakes in recent encounters with opponents who track back and throw all they have on counters.Currently,the squad's best central defenders are Pique and Mascherano,with Puyol having a series of injuries while youngster Batra serving as a backup.
Pique was Guardiola's first choice during his error alongside Puyol.Mascherano too, a midfielder who was bought to play in central defence was also used occasionally by the coach.Time has elapsed since the coach left and two coaches have now taken the mantle to guide the team.With this,its time Tata plan on changing the defensive line by either calling some fresh legs from the team B side or signing a world class defender.
Player transition is meant for a team to maintain its run by incorporating new players for the continuity of success.Tata should realize that he cannot put on his predecessors shoes,they may either be small or big for him.I plainly believe that playing big clubs with Masche and Pique in the defensive slot will do no mercy on them.Marc Batra has always shown that he can play in the position since he is a natural defender.Why not give him the chance?Another option for the club is to sign a centerback,but that must come on summer.
Great games are coming for the Gatalans this season and defensive leakages should be solved before this team gets another Bayern Munich-like treatment against Manchester City in the Champions League,Real Madrid in the Copa final among other upcoming contests in la liga.
Comparing this to what is happening in the mighty club of FC Barcelona,transition especially on the defensive line still remains a myth.There is no doubt that the current Gatalan squad has struggled to win some of their matches this season.There are moments when one would not believe its Barcelona playing,actually not the team of Guardiola which was feared across the globe in those days.However,some of the players who featured in the team are still maintaining their positions in the current squad,so the question remains,what is all wrong with this team?
Barcelona is a great team and still will remain,all because it has superstars and promising future players in their youth academy.But what Matino's men have not believed in so far is defensive transition, a position which has been criticized for committing more mistakes in recent encounters with opponents who track back and throw all they have on counters.Currently,the squad's best central defenders are Pique and Mascherano,with Puyol having a series of injuries while youngster Batra serving as a backup.
Pique was Guardiola's first choice during his error alongside Puyol.Mascherano too, a midfielder who was bought to play in central defence was also used occasionally by the coach.Time has elapsed since the coach left and two coaches have now taken the mantle to guide the team.With this,its time Tata plan on changing the defensive line by either calling some fresh legs from the team B side or signing a world class defender.
Player transition is meant for a team to maintain its run by incorporating new players for the continuity of success.Tata should realize that he cannot put on his predecessors shoes,they may either be small or big for him.I plainly believe that playing big clubs with Masche and Pique in the defensive slot will do no mercy on them.Marc Batra has always shown that he can play in the position since he is a natural defender.Why not give him the chance?Another option for the club is to sign a centerback,but that must come on summer.
Great games are coming for the Gatalans this season and defensive leakages should be solved before this team gets another Bayern Munich-like treatment against Manchester City in the Champions League,Real Madrid in the Copa final among other upcoming contests in la liga.
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
TITLE RACE STILL OPEN
Branislav Ivanovic's goal in the 32nd minute gave his club Chelsea a fought-for victory against the rich Manchester City in last night's thrilling match in Etihad stadium as the match ended 0-1 in favour of the blues.Few people would predict that score,not even Chelsea fans who sat next to me did see that coming before the final whistle was blown.Beating a team like Man City at their ground where they have been unstoppable this year, winning all 11 Premier League games at home and with a 42-8 goal edge.This is something all EPL clubs would like to do this season but so far its Mourinho who has made it first.
With yesternight's win,now Chelsea boast being on level with Man City both with 53pts,two behind leaders Arsenal but The blues maintain their third place due to goal difference.Liverpool comes fourth with 47pts to wrap up the Champions league spot.There is no doubt that the EPL title race is still open and any of the top three or Liverpool may pull a shock to win the title with 14 matches left.
However,despite Mourinho doubting their credibility of becoming this season's winners,nobody can rule them out and to many,these claims are much of a mind-game that we have witnessed in his entire coaching career.The four clubs will have to be careful with their coming fixtures to ensure they are better placed to lift the title,a single slip will cost one of these clubs dearly and therefore each manager should hope for fewer injuries before the season ends.
With yesternight's win,now Chelsea boast being on level with Man City both with 53pts,two behind leaders Arsenal but The blues maintain their third place due to goal difference.Liverpool comes fourth with 47pts to wrap up the Champions league spot.There is no doubt that the EPL title race is still open and any of the top three or Liverpool may pull a shock to win the title with 14 matches left.
However,despite Mourinho doubting their credibility of becoming this season's winners,nobody can rule them out and to many,these claims are much of a mind-game that we have witnessed in his entire coaching career.The four clubs will have to be careful with their coming fixtures to ensure they are better placed to lift the title,a single slip will cost one of these clubs dearly and therefore each manager should hope for fewer injuries before the season ends.
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